Health care changing for those re-employed
Fact sheets help explain how the HRA will work in 2022
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
Aug. 11, 2021 – Health care is changing for OPERS retirees in 2022, and one group impacted will be those retirees who are re-employed.
OPERS has prepared two fact sheets to help all affected re-employed retirees better understand the new aspects of the OPERS health care program beginning next year.
The fact sheet for Pre-Medicare re-employeed retirees explains the difference between current coverage for this group and coverage that will begin next year. Effective Jan. 1, 2022, OPERS will no longer offer a group medical plan. Instead, participants can opt in to the OPERS Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and begin receiving monthly deposits.
The HRA will work a little differently for re-employed retirees than it does for OPERS retirees who are not employed in an OPERS-covered position, and the fact sheet explains those differences. It also gives examples of how participants would opt in to the HRA and what HRA features they might expect to receive during re-employment and post-employment.
The fact sheet for Medicare re-employed retirees also breaks down how current coverage will differ from the HRA in 2022. And, it explains how the HRA works specifically for re-employed retirees eligible for Medicare and provides examples of how the new rules will apply to various Medicare re-employed retirees.
The fact sheets are part of an expansive amount of instructional information that’s available on the OPERS website regarding the changes that will be effective on Jan. 1.
Michael Pramik
Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.
How does the HRA work for re-employed retirees with a NON-OPERS employer?
Gayle,
If re-employed in a position that is in the private sector, or with one of the other Ohio retirement systems and you are outside the two month forfeiture period there would be no impact to the HRA.
Thanks, MS
I am disappointed OPERS made a such an effort to educate those re-employed in OPERS jobs and little to no effort (in my opinion) for those of us re-employed in non-OPERS jobs. My question is: I have to pay about $300 a month to my non-OPERS employer for JOINT healthcare. Can I be reimbursed from my HRA for only MY share of this cost?
Bob,
Retirees re-employed by a non-OPERS employer are eligible to receive HRA deposits as long as they meet eligibility requirements. During the re-employment, these funds can be used to reimburse any post-tax health care premiums. We encourage you to contact Via Benefits to discuss your options: 1-844-287-9945.